Crossing-signal.



W. A. BRADEN.

CROSSING SIGNAL.

APPLICATION man JULY 25,1910.

l,%9,35@. Patented Mar. 12, 1918.

3 SHEETS-SHEET I.

izwA g w. A. BRADEN.

CROSSING SlGNAL.

APPLICATION FILED JULY 25,1910.

Patented Mar. 12, 1918.

3 SHEETS-SHEET 3- WILLIAM A. BRADEN, OF CHICAGO, ILLINOIS.

CROSSING-SIGNAL.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Mar. 112, 19118.

Application filed I uly 25, 1910. Serial No. 573,808.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, WILLI M A. BRADnn, a citizen of the United States, and a reeldent of Chicago, in the State of Illinois,

My invention contemplates the provision of a simple signaling system for controlling traffic at street intersections either manually at crowded intersections by the police officers in charge of trafiic, or where trafiic is relatively light automatically by means of electrical devices operable through the trolley circuits upon the approach of a car.

As, such control of traffic is at this dayexercised in metropolitan cities, a police 0thcer gives signals by means of a whistle, but no vislble signal is given, and the note of the whistle is not as clearly audible as that of a gong. Moreover, it is not found expedient to station an oflicer at all corners where street car rails cross wide streets, boulevards and other roadways.

The principal objects of my present in-- VentiOn-are the provision of means whereby, where an ofiicer is stationed, hemay by a single simple action give not only an audible but visible signals to the traflic in one direc. tion to stop and in the other direction to move on, and also provide means whereby the approach of a trolley car gives like signals to passersby on foot, and automobile and horse trafiic, to stop until the car has passed by, thereby avoiding accidents; other objects are the provision of an improved form of column for carrying the gong, transparency, semaphore or other signal devices, which is 'likewise capable ofcarryin a lamp for street illumination, fire and p0 ice signal'boxes, mail boxes and the like.

In attaining the objects referred to, I have provided the constructions illustrated in the accompanying drawings wherein Figure 1 is an elevational view, partly broken away;

Fig. 2 is an elevational view taken at right angles to that of Fig. 1;

Fig. 3 is a vertical sectional view of the upper portion of the column shown in Figs. 1 and 2;

Fig. 4 is a fragmentary view of a portion of the devices of Fig. 3 taken in the direction indicated by the arrow;

Fig. 5 is a diagrammatic representation of the trolley wiring used for actuating the device of Figs. 3 and 4:;

Fig. 6 is an enlarged view illustrative of a detail of the construction of Fig. 5;

Fig. 7 is a sectional View showing a manually operated device for actuating the apparatus of Figs. 1 and 2; i

Fig. 8 is an enlarged detail of the electrically actuated members of the device of Fig. 7;

Fig. 9 is a sectional view taken on the line IX-IX of Fig. 8; and

Fig. 10 is a view similar to Fig. 8 of a modified form of manually operated mecha- IllSIIl.

Referring first to Figs. 1, 2 and 5, it will be observed that in the present embodiment of my invention I make use of a column, 20, one or more of which I locate adjacent street intersection, 2121 (F ig.'5) according to the density of the traflic. This column should be of suflicient height to allow the visible signals, 22, to be plainly seen by all persons adjacent the street intersection, and the column is provided with an audible signaling device, 23, to be below described, which should preferably be located outside of the column in order that sound produced thereby may not be mechanically interrupted by the structure of the column. As shown in Figs. 1 and 2, the column is also provided with a telephone set at 24, for the convenience of mounted policemen, such telephone apparatus being located at a height above the ground suflicient to prevent interference the removal of mail deposited therein. Thebox, 27; comprises a receptacle, 31, having hinged thereto a secondary receptacle, 32,

into which the letters descend when the box is opened and tilted into the position indicated in dotted lines at'35 when rotated about the pivot 34.

Referring now more particularly to Figs. 3 to 6, it will be observed that the visible signal, 22, comprises as here shown, a quadrilateral transparency, carrying on two of its sides the words Go on as indicated at 33 in Fig. 1, and at the two other sides theword Stop, as indicated at 34 in Fig. 2.

Within the transparenciesare arranged one north and south street, as indicated. at 37,

the signs.

and the other pair of signs indicating the east and west street, as indicated at 38, suitable lamps, 39, being provided to illuminate It is to be observed that the framing, 40, carrying the transparencies, 33 and 34, and the audible signal, 23, is revolubly mounted in the column, whereas the framing, 41, carrying the transparencies, 37 and 38, is fixedly carried upon the top of the column. As is clearly to be seen in Fig. 3 vthe said framing, 40, is supported by a sleeve, 42, j ournaled at 43 in the framing, 41, and reciprocally supported upon a vertical rod, 44, which in turn is mounted in a bearing, 45, carried upon a cross rod, 46, mounted in brackets, 4747, in the column. At its upper end, 49, the rod, 44, supports the audible signal, 23, here shown as a gong, 50, the hammer, 51, whereof is pivoted at 52 in the framing,-40.

- For the purposeof revolving the framing, 40, with the visible signals, 33 and 34, carried thereby, and striking the gong, 50, by means of the hammer, 51, it will be noted that the sleeve, 42, is reciprocally mounted upon the rod, 44, and that the hammer, 51, rests upon the upper portion of the sleeve; that the lower portion of the sleeve is provided with corrugations, 55, engaging like corrugations, 56, in a collar, 57, keyed against rotation on the supporting standard,

. 44, and spring, 58, resting at its lower end against a collar, 59, being provided to hold the members, 55 and 57 in contact. Upon the standard, 44, is fixedly mounted a bevele'd gear, 60, with which meshes a beveled gear, 61,;carried on the cross support, 46. For the purpose of giving the semaphore successive partial turns and striking the gong, I mount pivotally on the gear, 61, on the quarter, a connecting rod, 63,. as indicated at 64, the opposite end, 65, thereofbeing connected to the core, 66, of a solenoid,

67, the counter-weighted arm, 68, mounted on the gear, v61, being adapted to counter balance the weight of said core, 66, and return the gear to the position shown in the drawing after each movement of the device, when actuated in the manner now to be described. Referring now more,particularly to Figs. 5 and 6, it will be observed that I have here shown trolley cars, 7 O, 71, running on tracks, 72, 73, their motors being fed from conductors 74 and 75 respectively. Between said conductors, 74 and 75, I mount an auxiliary conductor, 76, suitably connected by conductors, 77 and 77 to the winding, 78, of the solenoid, 67, the opposite end of such winding being connected to a ground, 79, as indicated. at 80. For the purpose of allowing actuation of the device of Fig. 3, as a car approaches a street intersection, but giving no means for actuation thereof at other times (save when special manual means is provided) I support upon the conductors 74 and 75, the connector devices, 82 and 83, respectively, which said devices are, however, insulated therefrom as indicated at 81, (Fig. 6). On viewing this figure it will be seen that insulation is placed between the device, 83, and the supporting bracket, 84, carried by the conductor 75, whereby current is prevented from passing from the device, 83, through the connecting wire, 87, to the wire, 7 6, save when the trolley wheel, 88, contacting with the trolley wire, 75, also contacts with the under surface of the V- "shaped member, 83, and allows current to pass from the wire, 75, through the mem-.

-' theretofore been lifted, descends, restoring the parts to their original position, again striking the going and displaying the Go on sign.

Referring now more particularly to Figs. 7, 8, 9 and 10, it will be observed that whereas the audible and visible signals here used are substantially the same as those of the devices of Figs. 1 to 6, electric operating mechanism is arranged for manual, as contra-distinguished from electrical, actuation. I will therefore confine myself to a description ofthe actuating devices. It should be premised that the device of Fig. 10 as well as the device of Figs. 7 and 8 is adapted for the multiple control of the signals of one of, or of a plurality of, columns from a single point, and that the differences between the devices of these figures and the device of Fig. 3 resides in the means whereby the vertical standard, 44*, is rotated, with consequent striking of the gong and change in the visible signals.

In the device of'Fig's. 7, 8 and 10, the.

standard, 44 is journaled in a bearing, 45*, which is carried upon a supporting plate, 46*, in the column, 10, and gear, 60 is mounted on the standard, 44 for revolving it, and is adapted to be driven by a pinion, 61 carried on the armature shaft, 89, of the motor, 90, which is arranged in parallel with one or more motors, 90 90 and 90 to the end that where traflic conditions require it a similar column may be operated at a diagonal street corner or in case of special density of traflic similar columns at all four corners of an intersection. The gear, 60

carries on its under surface, a contact member, 91, suitably insulated therefrom by.

means of the non-conducting material interposed therebetween, as indicated at 92, such contact member, 91, being adapted for making contact between the members, 93 and 94, when in the position shown in Fig. 9 showing the relation of the parts at the beginning of a movement, and between the members, 95 and 96, upon the further impulse given in the manner to be below described. As may be seen from an examination of Fig. 8, 100 and 101, respectively indicate terminals for a source of current supply for operating the motors, 90, 90 etc., a. switch, 102, being provided for manual interruption of the circuit. From the pole, 104, of the switch, 102, a conductor, 106, leads to a conductor, 107, which is connected to the contact members, 94 and 95. The contact member, 93, adjacent the contact member, 94, is connected by a conductor, 108, to a contact member, 109, adjacent which is arranged a contact member, 110, connected by a conductor, 111, to a contact member, 112, adjacent which is a contact member, 113, from which a conductor, 114, leads to the contact member, 96. to the conductor, 111, is a conductor, 115,

v which is connected to one pole of a switch,

116, the opposite pole whereof, 117, is connected by a conductor, 118, feeding the motors, 90, 90, etc., return being had from such motors by means of conductor, 119, to the pole, 105, of the switch, 102. From the conductor, 118, a conductor, 120, leads to the Winding, 121, of the solenoid, 122, the

opposite end of which winding is connectedby a conductor, 123, to the pole, 105, of the switch, 102.

For the purpose of making contact between 'the members, 109 and 110, and be tween the members, 112 and 113, respectively, I make use of a rocking member, 124, pivoted at 125, and carrying pivotally mounted at its respective ends, as indicated at 126 and 127, contact members, 128 and 129, a wedge-shaped member, 130, being Joined.

fixedly mounted upon the rocking member, 124, and adapted to oscillate therewith about the pivot point for a purpose to be hereinafter described. For the purpose of establishing circuit between the members, 116 and 117, I make use of a knife blade switch device wherein the contact member, 131, is insulated from the body portion, 132, which is pivoted at 133, in a bracket, 134, mounted in the column, 10. To actuate the switch, 131, I provide a push-rod, 135, which is inserted in an arm, 136, on the opposite side of the pivot point, 133. Forthe purpose of holding the switch in closed position during the operation of the device to be below described, I provide on the body portion, 132, a bell crank extension, 137, and pivot it there to an extension, 138, of the core of the solenoid, 122, and pivotally mount at the point, 139, of such pivotal connection a wedge-shaped device, 140, for a purpose to be below disclosed.

The device of Fig. 10is in all respects the same as that of Fig. 8, save in the following particulars, to wit: that the conductor, 115 leads directly to the motors, 90, 90, etc, without the intervention of the switch device, 116, 117, 131 and the solenoid members, 121, 122, thereby avoiding the use not only thereof but of the wiring of the conductors attached thereto; and in place of the solenoid, 122, I make use of a member, 138*,

pivoted at 139 to a rod, 122*, adapted for reciprocation in the cylinder 121 The operation of the devices of Figs. 8 and 10, respectively, are as follows:

Referring first to Fig. 8, it will be observed that when the actuated member 135 is moved to position shown, the knife blade 131 joins the contacts 116 and 117 thereby completing the circuit comprising the members 100, 101, 106, 107, 91, 91, 93, 108, 109, 128, 110, 111, 115,116, 117, 118,90, etc.,) 119, 105, 101, and at the same time the parallel circuit connected to the conductor 128 and the pole 105, including the members 120, 121, and 123, which maintains the core of the solenoid 122 in position, and thus the switch 116, 117, and 131 in closed position during the time that the motor 90 drives the pinion 61 and thence the gear 60 a half revolution (in the direction indicated by the. arrow Fig. 9) until the contact member 91 moves out of contact with the contact members 93 and 94, thus breaking the circuit, allowing the 'core of the solenoid 122 to descend, which simultaneously removes the knife blade 131 from the contact members 116 and .117, and causes the wedge shaped member 140 to strike the right hand side of the wedge shaped member 130, lift the. member 128 from between the members 109 and 110 and cause the member 129 to descend and establish-circuit between the members 112 and 113. The member 91 will .now

have moved into contact with the members 95 and 96 and so a circuit will be completed, upon another movement being given operating devices 135, including the following members 100, 104., 106, 107, 95, 91, 96, 114, 113, 129, 112, 111, 115, 116, 117, 118, 90, (90", etc.,) 119, 105, 101, with the arallel circuit between the conductor 118 and the pole 105, including the members 120, 121, and 123. Upon completion of a half turn of the gear 60" the 'action heretofore described will be repeated save that the wedge shaped memher 130 will descend on the left hand side of the Wedge shaped member 130, lifting the contact member 129 from between thecontact members 112 and 113 and causing the contact member 128 to descend between the contact members 109 and 110 and restoring the parts to the position shown in the drawmgs.

Referringnow to Fig. 10 it will be ob-- servedthat while the device here illustrated is similar in construction to that of'Fig. 8,

when .the user moves the operating member .135 into the position shown in the drawings,

no change of the circuit takes place until the descent of the wedge shaped member 1 10 reverses the circuit ag-ain allowing a complete half revolution to begiven the gear 60*, consequent upon oscillation of the rocking member 124, interruption of the motor circuit shown and operation of the device through the circuit including the members 112, 113, and 124.

Having thus described my invention and illustrated its use, what I claim is new and desire to secure by Letters Patent is the following:

1. A signaling system comprising, in combination, a column, a visible signal rotatable about the vertical axis of the column, 'an audible signal, a member rotatable with said visible signal and means for moving said member longitudinally forsounding said audible signal simultaneously with the movement of said visible signal.

2. A signaling system comprising, in combination, a,visible signal rotatable on its vertical axis, a pinion and a gear for rotating said signal, a rotary electric motor for driving said pinion, an electric circuit and a source of current for driving said motor, and cooperating contacts one of which is movable always in the same direction relatively to the others by the rotation of the visible signal, whereby the circuit of said. motor is closed while the signal is moving through a predetermined angle.

3. A signaling system comprising, in combination, a visible signal, electro-magnetic means for moving said signal, an electric circuit and a source of current for energizing said means, cooperating contactsone of which is always movable in the same direction and successively into engagement with the other contacts, and means for placing said contacts into operative relation with respectto the circuit'whereby the signal is moved intermittently.

4. A signaling system comprising in combination a visible signal, a rotatable shaft for operating said signal, a cam carried by said shaft, a member on said shaft adapted to be reciprocated by said cam, an audible signal operated by said member, and means for intermittently rotating said shaft.

5. A signaling system'comprising, in combination, a visible signal, a rotatable shaft always movable in the same direction foring Visible signal, a motor for intermittently rotating said signal in the same direction, a double throw switch, plurality of rotary circuit closing means for said motor rotating with said visible signal, and fixed contacts acting in conjunction with said circuit closing means.

7. A signaling system comprising, in combination, a visible signal rotatable always in the same direction, a motor for rotating said signal, a plurality of cooperating contacts one of which is movable with said signal and adapted to be successively brought into operative relation to the other contacts,

and means for placing said plurality of contacts into operative relation with respect to the motor circuit whereby the signal is notated intermittently.

8. A signaling system comprising in combination, a rotatable visible signal, a motor for intermittently rotating said signal in the same direction, a contact member rotating with said signal, a plurality of pairsof contacts adapted to be bridged by said contact member, and switching means for throwing one of the pairs of contacts into the motor circuit. I a

In testimony whereof I have hereunto signed my name in the presence of the two subscribed witnesses.

WILLIAM A. BRADEN. Witnesses:

Pam CARPENTER, EVELYN C. NAYIDR. 

